Valencia

A beautiful city of contrasts with one of the best climates in the world

Defined by lots of features like being a perfect place to live, the city of Valencia offers an almost unique quality of life plus a cultural, gastronomical and commercial offer that has placed it as one of the most visited tourist destinations in Spain, just over an hour from Madrid by high speed train (AVE). The profound transformation and modernisation that the city has experienced over the past few years has converted it into a place with enormous projection that harbours rich contrasts.

Symbolic projects such as the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Santiago Calatrava, plus the setting of famous film shoots and international advertising, and the Palacio de Congresos by the British architect Norman Foster, all coexist without losing an ounce of modernity with the medieval side streets from one of the most extensive and most valued old towns in Europe and with a beautiful maritime landscape that boasts the Malvarrosa beach, El Saler beach, and the Albufera nature park and the biggest lake in Spain. Furthermore, it is a meeting place for commercial giants as demonstrated by the notable Feria Valencia, as well as the popular flea markets like the Plaza Redonda, right in the historic heart of the city. All of this of course without forgetting the most current and most traditional festivals and celebrations like the world-renowned Fallas, the Tomatina de Buñol and the Corpus Christi.

Valencia is a city that hooks both the odd visitor and also those who choose to stay and live here. Going through its streets is like carrying out a journey through time. Its archaeological remains attest the passage through history from the Roman Valentia, passing through to the Medieval city and up to modern day Valencia. The huge list of the city’s monuments, that are sure to capture the interest of many, includes jewels like the cathedral with its accompanying terrace, “El Micalet”, the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, the Torres de Serranos, the Torres de Quart, the Lonja de la Seda, the Central Market, the Almudín, the Reales Atarazanas, the Palacio de la Generalitat Valenciana, the Corts Valencianes, the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery, the Town Hall of Valencia and several other places. Also we mustn’t forget the array of museums with places like IVAM, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia San Pío V, the Centro Cultural de La Beneficencia, the Museo Nacional de Cerámica, the City Museum, the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe, the Museo Fallero, etc.

Its privileged location and weather, its architectural beauty, the vast numbers of leisure opportunities and the excellent connections across the land, sea and air, have changed the city into the setting of some of the most important sporting events, such as the Tennis Open 500, the Formula 1 European Grand Prix and the America’s Cup. Another one of its grand features is the gastronomic choices on offer, with its renowned recipes like chicken/seafood paella, black rice, arroz a banda, fideuá and all kinds of fish and seafood. It is also a must, to try the delicious and traditional horchata, plus the fartons that accompany it.

The Valencian night-time scene brings together a diverse offer of leisure, concerts and parties. There is a plethora of bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, concerts, banquet halls, etc. The “going out areas” are distributed throughout the length and breadth of the city. And, if your body can handle it, there is nothing better than heading for some of Valencia’s beaches to see the sunrise.